You Can Get What You Want / Or You Can Just Get Old
May 9, 2022 3:06 PM Subscribe
Huh! I had it brought to my attention through his 1999 interview on Inside The Actor's Studio, which was really interesting episode. (Sadly YouTube doesn't seem to have that clip of the interview, just Piano Man and whatnot.)
I mean, it was always there in the piano songbooks I have, I'd just never *played* it...
posted by metahacker at 3:50 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
I mean, it was always there in the piano songbooks I have, I'd just never *played* it...
posted by metahacker at 3:50 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Went From a Deep Cut To His Most Popular Song
In terms of plays/views, "Vienna" is fourth place on Spotify, and not even in the top ten on YouTube (thought it's tricky counting there because there can be multiple versions uploaded, and "sort by view count" seems to be treated as a suggestion...).
posted by The Tensor at 4:18 PM on May 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
In terms of plays/views, "Vienna" is fourth place on Spotify, and not even in the top ten on YouTube (thought it's tricky counting there because there can be multiple versions uploaded, and "sort by view count" seems to be treated as a suggestion...).
posted by The Tensor at 4:18 PM on May 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Vienna’s big on TikTok—it’s a favorite song of both of my kids, who are 18 and 19. A lot of older songs have worked their way into the Gen Z lexicon that way.
posted by padraigin at 4:24 PM on May 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by padraigin at 4:24 PM on May 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
We need a Billy Joel/Ultravox megamix.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:46 PM on May 9, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 4:46 PM on May 9, 2022 [8 favorites]
Well, I myself have seen Billy Joel live and to partly paraphrase a headline from Lester Bangs's interview with Lou Reed in Creem magazine of March 1975:
BILLY JOEL DEAD OR ALIVE --
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
posted by y2karl at 5:20 PM on May 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
BILLY JOEL DEAD OR ALIVE --
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
posted by y2karl at 5:20 PM on May 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
I mean, it was always there in the piano songbooks I have, I'd just never *played* it...
I had it my songbooks as well, and I played the ever-loving god-damn SHIT out of it. "Vienna" was my jam at age 16, back in the 1980s.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:06 PM on May 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
I had it my songbooks as well, and I played the ever-loving god-damn SHIT out of it. "Vienna" was my jam at age 16, back in the 1980s.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:06 PM on May 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
It's a fine song and it's okay to like Billy Joel. All For Leyna is a banger too.
posted by aquanaut at 6:15 PM on May 9, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by aquanaut at 6:15 PM on May 9, 2022 [17 favorites]
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
For me, the milkshake duck moment for Billy Joel was when he fired Doug Stegmayer for daring to tell Billy that his drug habit was a problem. Stegmayer got depressed, and committed suicide a few years later. I will always blame Billy Joel for his death.
posted by mikelieman at 6:23 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
For me, the milkshake duck moment for Billy Joel was when he fired Doug Stegmayer for daring to tell Billy that his drug habit was a problem. Stegmayer got depressed, and committed suicide a few years later. I will always blame Billy Joel for his death.
posted by mikelieman at 6:23 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
We need a Billy Joel/Ultravox megamix.
We need a Billy Joel/Ultravox/Ringo Starr megamix.
posted by Zedcaster at 6:40 PM on May 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
We need a Billy Joel/Ultravox/Ringo Starr megamix.
posted by Zedcaster at 6:40 PM on May 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
For me, the milkshake duck moment for Billy Joel was when he fired Doug Stegmayer for daring to tell Billy that his drug habit was a problem. Stegmayer got depressed, and committed suicide a few years later. I will always blame Billy Joel for his death.
I mean, "I was a milkshake duck" is basically Billy Joel's entertainment persona at this point
posted by billjings at 6:40 PM on May 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I mean, "I was a milkshake duck" is basically Billy Joel's entertainment persona at this point
posted by billjings at 6:40 PM on May 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I will never understand the hatred people have for Billy Joel. Perhaps somebody could explain it to me?
posted by ashbury at 7:16 PM on May 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by ashbury at 7:16 PM on May 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
No idea, ashbury. One of my biggest cultural regrets is that I didn’t move heaven and earth to see Elton John and Billy Joel in concert together when I had the chance.
posted by Night_owl at 7:24 PM on May 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by Night_owl at 7:24 PM on May 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
Classic milkshake duck moment for him.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 7:40 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 7:40 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
A ways back, Vulture ran a ranking of every Billy Joel song ever. (Arbitrary, sure -- but isn't any ranking?)
The snippet on Vienna has lodged permanently in my brain:
There's a lot of cringe in the catalog, unevenly distributed. (See: Just the Way You Are, as noted upthread.) But man, I'll defend Vienna.
posted by theoddball at 8:03 PM on May 9, 2022 [9 favorites]
The snippet on Vienna has lodged permanently in my brain:
A pretty song, a long metaphor for finding yourself at a crossroads in life, with a nice lilt and a restrained bit of whimsy. Unusually oblique. As a musician I know neatly put it to me the other day, “It’s what I want from him, with few Billy problems.” Cole Porter would have nodded and smiled at a line like “You can get what you want or you can just get old.”It's a great song, maybe my favorite in his songbook. And speaking somebody who's spun his catalog a LOT, "few Billy problems" is exactly what makes the song stand out for me. All the tunecraft and charm, minus the full-on schlock, forced sneer, and chip on his shoulder.
There's a lot of cringe in the catalog, unevenly distributed. (See: Just the Way You Are, as noted upthread.) But man, I'll defend Vienna.
posted by theoddball at 8:03 PM on May 9, 2022 [9 favorites]
I'd never heard this one before, and I quite like it. Thank you!
posted by jameaterblues at 9:43 PM on May 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by jameaterblues at 9:43 PM on May 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Miami 2017.
And by the way Cheryl Crow did the same thing with her backup band and I can't remember the name of the guy but he wound up committing suicide after she made Tuesday night music club and cut out all the other musicians that used to play with her.
posted by markbrendanawitzmissesus at 11:03 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
And by the way Cheryl Crow did the same thing with her backup band and I can't remember the name of the guy but he wound up committing suicide after she made Tuesday night music club and cut out all the other musicians that used to play with her.
posted by markbrendanawitzmissesus at 11:03 PM on May 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
One of my favorite artists. I listened to Billy Joel albums - on vinyl - quite a lot in the mid 80s, when I was in high school. I've also seen him in concert three times, including one of his tours with Elton John.
As a singer and pianist myself, I've covered a number of Billy's songs in amateur performances. Had no idea that Vienna is once again popular (I avoid TikTok FWIW); I should break out my sheet music and give it another spin.
posted by Funcrunch at 12:51 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
As a singer and pianist myself, I've covered a number of Billy's songs in amateur performances. Had no idea that Vienna is once again popular (I avoid TikTok FWIW); I should break out my sheet music and give it another spin.
posted by Funcrunch at 12:51 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
The story of that Moscow milkeshake duck is interesting: 30 Years Ago, Billy Joel Had a Meltdown in Moscow
posted by chavenet at 12:55 AM on May 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 12:55 AM on May 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
Okay, seriously: can someone explain to me why that moment in Moscow is a "Milkshake duck" moment? He was a performer and someone was fucking with his show, and he got mad. Yes, sure, he could have handled it better, but how is that "Milkshake duck" territory?
Or Doug Stegmayer? Why are we laying the blame for his suicide on Joel firing him? So we are blaming other people when someone commits suicide now?
I get that you hate Billy Joel because it's cool to hate him, but for the LOVE of FUCK why throw the milkshake duck accusation around? What, are you just trying to justify it to yourself? Go ahead and hate the guy if you want, but be HONEST about why you hate him rather than blowing it up.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:46 AM on May 10, 2022 [13 favorites]
Or Doug Stegmayer? Why are we laying the blame for his suicide on Joel firing him? So we are blaming other people when someone commits suicide now?
I get that you hate Billy Joel because it's cool to hate him, but for the LOVE of FUCK why throw the milkshake duck accusation around? What, are you just trying to justify it to yourself? Go ahead and hate the guy if you want, but be HONEST about why you hate him rather than blowing it up.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:46 AM on May 10, 2022 [13 favorites]
This is probably unpopular, but for me growing up in the 70s/80s Billy Joel > Elton John. EJ, now there’s treacly. Not that it’s a contest ! I will always love hearing BJ’s back catalog , including Just the Way You Are, which I think is a fantastic song.
posted by freecellwizard at 4:13 AM on May 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by freecellwizard at 4:13 AM on May 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
I’m not a musician. I’m no music theorist. I don’t plan to ever have dinner or even a conversation with Billy Joel.
I’ve been a fan of his music since the Piano Man LP was released. I saw him live several times in the 70s and 80s. Great shows, all. No regrets.
Vienna is my favorite.
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 5:20 AM on May 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
I’ve been a fan of his music since the Piano Man LP was released. I saw him live several times in the 70s and 80s. Great shows, all. No regrets.
Vienna is my favorite.
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 5:20 AM on May 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
markbrendanawitzmissesus: And by the way Cheryl Crow did the same thing with her backup band and I can't remember the name of the guy but he wound up committing suicide after she made Tuesday night music club and cut out all the other musicians that used to play with her.
That would be Kevin Gilbert. Here's the touring band for Kevin's band Toy Matinee rehearsing.
posted by emelenjr at 5:26 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
That would be Kevin Gilbert. Here's the touring band for Kevin's band Toy Matinee rehearsing.
posted by emelenjr at 5:26 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I don’t plan to ever have dinner or even a conversation with Billy Joel.
I'm almost certain I've told this story here before, but about 5 years ago we walked right past Billy Joel sitting on the front patio of the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, having lunch with his wife and baby. Close enough to have stolen a french fry off his plate.
When we were out of earshot I said to my wife, "That was Billy Joel!"
She turned around to look, and said, "Oh! I was just thinking, that's nice, some grandpa is having lunch with his daugher and granddaughter."
posted by uncleozzy at 5:36 AM on May 10, 2022 [8 favorites]
I'm almost certain I've told this story here before, but about 5 years ago we walked right past Billy Joel sitting on the front patio of the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, having lunch with his wife and baby. Close enough to have stolen a french fry off his plate.
When we were out of earshot I said to my wife, "That was Billy Joel!"
She turned around to look, and said, "Oh! I was just thinking, that's nice, some grandpa is having lunch with his daugher and granddaughter."
posted by uncleozzy at 5:36 AM on May 10, 2022 [8 favorites]
As far as I'm concerned Barry White owns "Just The Way You Are."
posted by Gelatin at 5:57 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Gelatin at 5:57 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Stegmayer got depressed, and committed suicide a few years later. I will always blame Billy Joel for his death
Blaming Billy Joel for someone's suicide? That seems unfair.
posted by rhonzo at 6:03 AM on May 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
Blaming Billy Joel for someone's suicide? That seems unfair.
posted by rhonzo at 6:03 AM on May 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
They mention it in the article, but the way they use that song in 13 Going on 30 is just part of why that scene just wrenches your heart up.
posted by Mchelly at 6:17 AM on May 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 6:17 AM on May 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
Seconding him as a terrific live performer. Thanks to my reporting gigs, I've been to literally hundreds of concerts, from Metallica and Iron Maiden to John Denver and Peter, Paul and Mary. But Billy Joel, fall of 1982 on the Nylon Curtain tour, is an all-time top 10.
Four pianos on stage and he'd jump from one to another depending on the song. And I can still see the band circling up on stage around a table with a red and white tablecloth, singing the opening and closing to "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant." Just awesome.
posted by martin q blank at 7:45 AM on May 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
Four pianos on stage and he'd jump from one to another depending on the song. And I can still see the band circling up on stage around a table with a red and white tablecloth, singing the opening and closing to "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant." Just awesome.
posted by martin q blank at 7:45 AM on May 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
I can still see the band circling up on stage around a table with a red and white tablecloth, singing the opening and closing to "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant."
Total goosebump moment - when he does "Goodnight Saigon" in concert, he always has a group of Vietnam Vets join him onstage (I can't find who they are, whether they're roadies or locals in whereever he is) to sing with the chorus "And we would all go down together..." (When he honored by the Kennedy Center, Garth Brooks did "Goodnight Saigon" in his set and included that element as well.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:52 AM on May 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
Total goosebump moment - when he does "Goodnight Saigon" in concert, he always has a group of Vietnam Vets join him onstage (I can't find who they are, whether they're roadies or locals in whereever he is) to sing with the chorus "And we would all go down together..." (When he honored by the Kennedy Center, Garth Brooks did "Goodnight Saigon" in his set and included that element as well.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:52 AM on May 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
I'm kind of morally opposed to eye-wateringly expensive concert tickets, and even big arena rock shows, but it's on my bucket list to make it to Madison Square Garden to see a Billy Joel show while I still can.
posted by emelenjr at 7:56 AM on May 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by emelenjr at 7:56 AM on May 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
In terms of plays/views, "Vienna" is fourth place on Spotify
The Tensor
Huh. I'm looking at Joel's Spotify page right now and "Vienna" is his #1 song. The Tensor posted that comment at 4:18pm on May 9. Did the song really shoot up 3 places in less than a day?
posted by star gentle uterus at 11:14 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
The Tensor
Huh. I'm looking at Joel's Spotify page right now and "Vienna" is his #1 song. The Tensor posted that comment at 4:18pm on May 9. Did the song really shoot up 3 places in less than a day?
posted by star gentle uterus at 11:14 AM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
When I looked, "Vienna" was at the top of the list, but the list isn't sorted by total view count. Maybe that means it's getting the most daily views now? (But I didn't check until after this article was out, so...)
posted by The Tensor at 12:18 PM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by The Tensor at 12:18 PM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
i don't know that i've ever heard this. but i needed it when i was a teenager. and in my early 20s. needed it so bad.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 1:32 PM on May 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 1:32 PM on May 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
The answer to the question of why it's popular with Youths:
- that chord progression? ox-bow? soft dog-howl? of 'ViEnna wAiTs for YoOUu' is fun to sing
- the 'you don't have to do everything, right this moment' message must be a balm for a generation who has gotten a lot of messaging that their side hustles should have side hustles
As for the Billy Joel hate, I think I can understand it, if your generational or media experience is exclusively of the 80's stage of Doo-Wop Boomer Nostalgia Joel. Greatest Hits collections made of Rust Belt Vietnam veterans mourning their fishing boats and the glory days of banging the prom queen. That stuff got way overplayed on the radio, and I can understand an age cohort who sees Billy Joel as 'they force-fed me that stuff as a child and I never want to eat it again'.
Another point is that Vienna is from 70's Billy Joel. The article poses 'is he a glorified lounge singer, or a pop music superstar?'. I prefer his work as a glorified lounge singer, doing his Angry Young Man at the piano bit.
And I think there are still some gems to mine from that era, that might still have something to say to the kids.
For instance, I can imagine a video for the B-side to She's Got a Way - one that's a rapid montage of Instagram screenshots with narrative pauses to make a point; or documenting the rise and fall and rise of some running-mascara apology YouTuber/influencer.
posted by bartleby at 4:27 PM on May 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
- that chord progression? ox-bow? soft dog-howl? of 'ViEnna wAiTs for YoOUu' is fun to sing
- the 'you don't have to do everything, right this moment' message must be a balm for a generation who has gotten a lot of messaging that their side hustles should have side hustles
As for the Billy Joel hate, I think I can understand it, if your generational or media experience is exclusively of the 80's stage of Doo-Wop Boomer Nostalgia Joel. Greatest Hits collections made of Rust Belt Vietnam veterans mourning their fishing boats and the glory days of banging the prom queen. That stuff got way overplayed on the radio, and I can understand an age cohort who sees Billy Joel as 'they force-fed me that stuff as a child and I never want to eat it again'.
Another point is that Vienna is from 70's Billy Joel. The article poses 'is he a glorified lounge singer, or a pop music superstar?'. I prefer his work as a glorified lounge singer, doing his Angry Young Man at the piano bit.
And I think there are still some gems to mine from that era, that might still have something to say to the kids.
For instance, I can imagine a video for the B-side to She's Got a Way - one that's a rapid montage of Instagram screenshots with narrative pauses to make a point; or documenting the rise and fall and rise of some running-mascara apology YouTuber/influencer.
posted by bartleby at 4:27 PM on May 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
Even by Billy Joel standards (a qualifier that's carrying a lot of water in this sentence), 'Just the Way You Are' is smarmy mawkish treacle that I'd just as soon never hear again in my life.
That song was already a punchline when The Blues Brothers came out. 42 years ago.
Speaking of ancient pop culture, is there anyone else who always associates "Vienna" with this Taxi episode?
posted by non canadian guy at 7:50 PM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
That song was already a punchline when The Blues Brothers came out. 42 years ago.
Speaking of ancient pop culture, is there anyone else who always associates "Vienna" with this Taxi episode?
posted by non canadian guy at 7:50 PM on May 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
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Well, no shit they do. Billy Joel himself doesn't especially like 'Just the Way You Are.'
Even by Billy Joel standards (a qualifier that's carrying a lot of water in this sentence), 'Just the Way You Are' is smarmy mawkish treacle that I'd just as soon never hear again in my life.
posted by box at 3:18 PM on May 9, 2022 [10 favorites]